Plymouth Township Police Officer Brad Fox was shot and killed responding to hit-and-run crash on Thursday, September 13, 2012, Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman said. Fox, 34, leaves behind a pregnant wife and a young girl. He died a day before his 35th birthday. Photo provided to 6abc.com by the Fox family.

September 14, 2012 8:35:48 AM PDT

Action News

PLYMOUTH TWP., Pa. - September 13, 2012 --

A Plymouth Township police officer was shot and killed after responding to a hit-and-run crash Thursday afternoon, Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said.

Fox, a 7-year veteran of the force, graduated from the Philadelphia K-9 Unit in March.

Prior to joining the police force, Fox served two tours of duty in Iraq as a Marine.

"When he volunteered to go back to the second one, he didn't even tell his family he volunteered. He was that kind of a man. He wanted to protect them," Ferman said.

"Brad Fox is a hero as is every man or woman that puts any uniform on," Lawrence said.

Fox's death marked the first time a Plymouth Township police officer was killed in the line of duty.

"I think we all are in shock," Ferman said.

Fox leaves behind a wife, who is 3-months pregnant, and a young girl.

Ferman said this was a day that all of law enforcement wish they never have to experience.

"There are just no words that begin to express the magnitude of this tragedy for Officer Fox's family, for his wife, for his beautiful little girl, for his law enforcement family, the Plymouth Police Department, and the entire Montgomery County law enforcement family and community," Ferman said.

Fox was to turn 35 years old Friday.

As for the investigation, it remains very active according to D.A. Ferman. Authorities are working to ascertain what exactly led up to the tragic confrontation.